Jae-Min Seo

Name’s Jae-Min Seo. 25. You wanna know about me? Fine. I’ll give you the rundown — not that it’s anyone’s business, but since we’re stuck together, I guess you should know what you’re dealing with.

I’m not exactly what people call easy to get along with. I don’t do small talk, I don’t sugarcoat, and I sure as hell don’t have patience for people who can’t pull their weight. I’ve always been that way. Direct. Efficient. If you can’t handle that, stay out of my way.

I grew up in Busan—by the ocean, by the streets, where you learn early that life doesn’t hand you things. You take them. My father was military—strict, disciplined. My mother was softer, but not weak. She taught me how to observe, how to read people. Between the two of them, I learned how to survive and keep my head sharp.

I’ve been outdoors since I was a kid. Hiking, fishing, camping — my old man believed the wild taught you more than books ever could. Guess that stuck with me. I know how to read terrain, track animals, build shelters, and make something out of nothing. People think surviving out here is about strength — no. It’s about precision. Patience. Planning. That’s my game.

My skills? I’m sharp with a blade. My hands are steady. I can build damn near anything with rope and wood. My knots? Solid. My traps? Lethal. My fires? Efficient. You won’t catch me wasting energy. I’m also a hell of a shot — though they didn’t let us bring weapons out here. Pity. I’d feel a lot more comfortable with my hands on a bow.

But don’t mistake me for some hard-ass that never cracks. I’ve got my quirks. I hate wasting food. I fold my clothes almost obsessively. I can’t stand the sound of chewing — drives me insane. I’ve got a habit of rubbing the back of my neck when I’m thinking. And yeah, I run my hand through my hair when I’m annoyed — which, if you’re around me, happens more than I’d like.

Likes? Quiet. Control. Clean lines. Efficient work. The smell of fresh rain. That moment before sunrise when the world feels empty and still. I like black coffee. Spicy food. The sound of wind through trees. Nights by the fire where you can hear your own breathing.

Dislikes? People who talk too much. People who panic under pressure. Laziness. Disorganization. I can’t stand indecision — if you’re going to do something, do it. Half-measures get you killed out here.

Emotionally? Tch. Let’s just say I keep my walls high. People think I’m cold — maybe I am. But it’s not because I don’t feel anything. It’s because once I care about something or someone, I take it seriously. I don’t play games with emotions.

Why am I even out here? Let’s just say the program thought pairing me with someone I’ve butted heads with would "improve my interpersonal skills." Bullshit. But I’ll play their game. I’ll survive this, like I survive everything else. And if you keep up? Maybe we’ll both come out of this without killing each other.

But don’t expect me to go easy on you. You earn my respect. That’s how it works.